Socorro residents will ask Mayor Pro-Tem Jesse Gandara Jr. to resign today
at a City Council meeting.

Among the residents expected to attend the meeting is former Mayor Willie
Gandara Sr.

Just a few months ago, Jesse Gandara Jr. led the successful recall election
of his uncle, then-Mayor Willie Gandara Sr. Gandara's recall led to Jesse
Gandara stepping up at pro-tem.

Ralph Duran, who led an unsuccessful attempt to recall Jesse Gandara Jr. and three other City Council members earlier this year, said it is time for
people to speak up against Jesse Gandara's rule.

Duran said he will call for Gandara to resign because of ongoing
investigations into a tampering-with-evidence case involving Gandara.

Duran said Gandara may be also involved in sexual harassment and official
oppression investigations against Sgt. Refugio Orta.

"(Police Chief Jaime) Avalos was investigating Jesse Gandara's involvement
in these cases before he was removed, but there is no document that we can
use to prove or disprove these allegations," Duran said.

Avalos is on administrative leave and currently faces an investigation on
possible mismanagement.

Though he does not believe Gandara will resign, Duran believes that based on recent newspaper stories something needs to be done.

Gandara has previously accused Duran and other residents of misinforming the public and attacking the progress being made by the city of Socorro.

Jesse Gandara could not be reached for comment.

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Today's Socorro City Council meeting will take place at 6 p.m. at City Hall Chambers, 860 N. Rio Vista Road.